31 Oct 2019

A 15-member group that produces toilet paper labelled Maphoi toilet paper in Maun has high hopes of expanding its local market.

The group, which consists of 12 women and three men aged between 21 and 54 years was assisted with a production machine worth P360 000 under the Poverty Eradication Programme in the Maun Administration Authority (MAA).

In an interview, the Maphoi toilet paper project treasurer, Ms Vezemba Katjarava said although they had experienced growth in both demand and supply their wish was to see their product in the local supermarkets.

Ms Katjarava said their customers had expressed satisfaction with the quality of their two ply toilet paper so far.

She said some individuals and a few companies had been their loyal customers since they started operation in July 2018, noting that the toilet papers were sold in packages of four, ten and 48 packs including one roll.

The group produces about 4 000 toilet paper rolls daily and could increase the number if the demand goes up, she said.

Nonetheless, she regretted that they faced a small market, which had resulted in some toilet papers being piled in their storage hence the need to expand.

Ms Katjarava noted that starting a business from nothing was a challenge, noting that the members had opted to get low salaries to save part of the proceeds.

She noted that the Maun Administration Authority (MAA) was still on board to ensure that the Maphoi Toilet paper project was sustainable in its first five years of operation and continued to provide them with raw materials.

She noted that through their savings, the group was hopeful that it would afford to purchase raw materials when MAA stopped its support.

On a positive note, Ms Katjarava said the Maphoi group managed to acquire packaging materials for the toilet paper through the profits made.

Another member of the group, Ms Dikeledi Kepatikilwe shared how the business started from scratch with members of the group selling the product door to door without being packaged.

Ms Kepatikilwe said through the profits made they managed to buy packaging and stickers for branding.

She noted that MAA assisted the group with a machine and raw materials in 2017 while operation started in 2018 July.

Ms Kepatikilwe said the group members underwent a week-long training in May, 2018 on toilet paper production.

She observed that of recent, some customers made orders through phone calls and collected their orders which helped solve the challenge of lack of transport.

Ms Kepatikilwe said they hoped to get support from the whole of Maun, since they currently experienced stock piling.

She appreciated the support they received from the MAA office since the project started to date.

On business acumen, she said, “Business needs patience before one is rewarded, there were times when we spent about five months without salaries at all, there is indeed no gain without sweat,” she said.

The project overseer from MAA, Social and Community Development (S&CD) officer, Mr Kabelo Kanyeto said the Maphoi toilet paper project had grown over time, evidenced by improvement in the quality of their product.

Mr Kanyeto said through the assistance of MAA office, the Maphoi group was in the process of changing from operating through a business name to a company name which would open more market opportunities.

He further appealed for support from the Maun community and Batswana at large .ENDS